> unobtrusive tracker that has no known problematic failure modes, and which contains a battery that is within the checked baggage limits comports with?
You generally are not allowed to carry lithium batteries in checked baggage. So your phone's lithium battery is not a problem as long as it's in your pocket.
The failure mode you forgot is "sets fire to itself and other objects."
The "AWAY" bags that used to be on all the YouTube videos and which had charging banks had to have a way to pluck the charging bank off the bag if the bags were gate-checked. (Applies to other brands too).
Mind linking to the relevant regulations that say that? The ones that I turned up[1] says that batteries are fine as long as they're in an installed device.
This is absolutely not true – guidelines from e.g. FAA and IATA are extremely clear that devices are permitted in both checked and carry-on baggage. There are some restrictions around bare cells, e-cigarettes etc. but for the most part these devices are no problem.
I made no suggestion that I should be able to shirk the rules while everyone else deserves to get caught.
You're welcome to point and laugh at me if Lufthansa bans me and I have to stop putting AirTags in my bags so as not to be banned by other airlines, should they choose to adopt such an anti-consumer stance as well.
I have no real issue with taking a calculated risk, the kinds of calculated risks we take all day every day. Surely you don't carefully read the terms of carriage on every airline ticket you purchase. I know I don't. I trust that the market will more or less treat us reasonably, and if one vendor does not, I can find another which does.